The Outsiders – Dialectical Journals
Tracing an idea and Citing Textual Evidence
Dialect: Dia (across) + Lect (speaking); dialect is often used to refer to the way people from a particular
area speak, but it has its origins in the Greek word, dialegesthai, that meant “converse with each other”.
In a dialectical journal you are attempting to carry on a conversation with the author of a text. You keep
noticing the ideas they present in quotes, and responding to them by relating them to a topic or
message. Since we are reading The Outsiders with “the dangers of a single story” in mind, you will want
to treat that as your topic of discussion. Notice ideas from the novel that relate to the idea of single
stories (and the related concepts of perspective and stereotypes) and keep track of your response to
those ideas.
Directions: Respond to one quote from each chapter by putting the quote into context and relating it
the central message of “the dangers of a single story”. You should pay close attention to how the
characters’ perspectives are changing throughout the novel. You can also include information in your
response to help relate the author’s ideas to things you already know.
You may use these quotes for each chapter or locate an appropriate quote of your own.
1.
“We get jumped by the Socs… the jet set, the West-side rich kids. It’s like the term ‘greaser,’ which is used
to call all us boys on the East Side.” (page 2, Ponyboy narrating)
2. “All Soc’s aren’t like that… You have to believe me, Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that… That’s like saying
all you greasers are like Dallas Winston.” (page 34, Cherry to Ponyboy)
3. “It’s okay… We aren’t in the same class. Just don’t forget that some us watch the sunset too.” (page 46,
Ponyboy to Cherry)
4. “Nup, pal, yer the ones who’d better watch it. Next time you want a broad, pick up yer own kind – dirt.”
(page 55, Bob to Johnny)
5. “The mist was what was pretty… All gold and silver… Too bad it couldn’t stay like that all the time”
(Johnny). “Nothing gold can stay” (Ponyboy conversing with Johnny, page 77)
6. “That was his silent fear then – of losing another person he loved. I remembered how close he and Dad
had been, and I wondered how I could ever have thought him hard and unfeeling.” (page 98-99, Ponyboy
about Darry)
7. “So it doesn’t do any good, the fighting and the killing… Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be
Socs. Sometimes I think it’s the ones in the middle that are really the lucky stiffs.” (page 117, Randy to
Ponyboy).
8. “You only knew his bad side. He could be sweet sometimes, and friendly. But when he got drunk…it was
that part of him that beat up Johnny... Bob was something special…” (page 128-129, Cherry to Ponyboy)
9. “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” (page 148, Johnny to Ponyboy)
10. “Try to think that Johnny is better off now, try to remember that Dally would have ended up like that
sooner or later. Best of all, don’t think. Blank your mind. Don’t remember.” (page 156-157, Ponyboy
thinking to himself)
11. “He’s kind of upset about all this. I mean, my dad’s a good guy and everything, better than most, and I
kind of let him down, being mixed up in all this.” (page 164, Randy to Ponyboy)
12. “You’re living in a vacuum, Pony, and you’re going to have to cut it out.” (page 173, Darry to Pony)
Remember – For each quote, you should (1) put it into context (what is happening at the time the quote appears)
and (2) connect it to the idea of a single story. Your response should be multiple sentences (3+).